At the 13th Zik Annual Lecture Series held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, a former UN Special Representative to West Africa and the Sahel, urged African leaders to emulate the life of sacrifice led by Nigeria’s first President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, to honor his legacy and accelerate the development of the continent.
Dr. Chambas, who also served as former President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), delivered a keynote address on the theme, *”Zik’s Legacies And The Rising Social Movements In Africa: Rethinking Regional Integration in Africa.”* He described Azikiwe as a “detribalized African” who made significant contributions to Nigeria’s and many African nations’ liberation from colonial rule.
During the event, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, the benefactor of the Zik Lecture Series, underscored the importance of the lecture as a means to keep Dr. Azikiwe’s rich legacy alive. He praised Azikiwe as an influential leader and mentor who guided many prominent figures in Africa’s political history.
Professor Uche Azikiwe, the wife of the late Dr. Azikiwe, echoed the call for African leaders to unite and form a “United States of Africa,” a vision her husband passionately championed to advance the continent’s development. She also urged the Faculty of Social Sciences at Nnamdi Azikiwe University to publish the Zik Lecture Series over the years in a journal, ensuring wider access to Dr. Azikiwe’s ideas.
Professor Nkemdilim Nonyelu, the Adviser to the Zik Lecture Series, noted that the initiative aims to immortalize Dr. Azikiwe’s philosophy, values, and vision, serving as a reminder for African nations to work together in achieving regional integration and continental unity.
The event, which attracted prominent scholars and statesmen from across Africa, was a fitting tribute to Dr. Azikiwe’s enduring legacy and his contributions to the socio-political landscape of the continent.
